How Long Does a Mattress Last in 2024? [Complete Guide]

Knowing how long your mattress will last is important, even if you just recently purchased a new bed. The average mattress will last between seven and 10 years depending on how you care for your mattress and its type.

How Long Mattresses Last By Type

There are five basic types of mattresses: innerspring, memory foam, gel foam, specialty foam, and hybrid. Some mattresses have a long lifespan of 15 years or more while others are only good for six years.

Innerspring

An innerspring mattress is a type of mattress that is constructed with steel inner coil springs. These types of mattresses often come with various toppers—the most common is the pillow top.

So, how long does an innerspring mattress last? Your innerspring mattress should last between seven and 10 years. The largest factor in the lifespan of your mattress is coil construction and if it can be flipped to spread out the wear.

Memory Foam

A memory foam mattress is one constructed from a type of polyurethane foam. The foam allows the mattress to conform to the shape of your body which many consider to be a more comfortable sleeping surface.

An average quality memory foam mattress will last between 10 to 15 years, with better quality mattress lasting longest. Memory foam mattresses do not need to be flipped to preserve their lifespan but should be rotated quarterly to reduce sags and impressions.

Gel Foam 

Made from a memory foam infused with gel microbeads, gel foam mattresses are some of the newest types of mattress technology. The addition of gel microbeads allows the bed to not only be responsive to your body shape but also its temperature.

The best quality gel foam mattresses will last 15 years or longer but their average lifespan is 10 to 15 years. You should avoid jumping and bouncing on the bed so that your mattress lasts longer.

Speciality Foam

One type of specialty foam mattress is a latex mattress. The benefit of a specialty foam mattress is that they are often resistant to dust mites, mildew, and mold. However many people complain that they are firmer than other bedding options.

Your latex specialty foam mattress can last 15 years or longer making them a great value based on their mid-range cost. The most common problem with specialty foam mattresses is they sag easily, so it’s important to practice proper care of the mattress.

Hybrid Mattress

Hybrid mattresses are beds that combine innerspring coils with other bedding technologies. People will often choose a hybrid mattress because they like the classic feel of an innerspring mattress but want the contouring comfort of a foam mattress.

The typical hybrid mattress will last approximately six years; however, with perfect adherence to good mattress care, you can often lengthen their lifespan. To practice good mattress care, you should avoid eating in bed to reduce spills as they will shorten the lifespan significantly.

Signs You Need a New Mattress

Often the only time a person buys a new mattress is when they are moving or absolutely have to. Unfortunately, this can hinder your ability to have a good night’s sleep. There are 10 signs that signal it’s time to get a new mattress.

1. Sags

Sagging occurs because over time the materials in the mattress begin to break down. If you have a very prominent sag in your mattress it means you need to get a new one. To prevent sagging, try to rotate and, if you have a two-sided mattress, flip your bed when the seasons change.

2. Impressions

Primarily a problem for foam mattresses, if your mattress has a visible impression of your body it means that it needs to be replaced. Your foam mattress should remember your body but not to this extent. Flipping your mattress regularly will help avoid this problem.

3. Allergies

After a time, your mattress can accumulate dust and other allergens. If you are noticing that every morning you feel sniffly, stuffed up, or have a sore throat you may need a new mattress. To avoid this problem, in the future, use a mattress protector and regularly vacuum your mattress.

4. Stains

Extensive staining on a mattress can bring mold and microbes. If your mattress has a lot of stains it’s a good idea to get a new one to avoid aggravating your allergies. The most common cause of stains is eating and drinking in bed. If you do eat in bed, clean up any spills immediately.

5. Sinks

If you find yourself sinking into your foam mattress by two inches or more, or feel like you're being sucked into your innerspring, it means it’s time for a new bed. Flipping a two-sided mattress or rotating a one-sided mattress is an important step you can take to avoid sinks.

6. Pains

After a night in bed, your mind and body should feel refreshed. If you are waking up with aches and pains it’s time for a new mattress. Aches and pains often happen when your mattress has aged significantly or you brought the wrong mattress for your body and sleeping position.

7. Lumps

Lumps and bumps on your mattress are one visual sign that your mattress needs to be replaced. Often caused by jumping and bouncing on the bed, lumps and bumps will create new pressure points that will often cause you to wake up with aches and pains.

8. Sleepless Nights

Being unable to sleep at night, when all other factors like medical problems have been ruled out, means that you need a better bed. One way to tell if your bed just isn’t the right fit anymore is to see if you sleep better at a hotel or in another place.

9. Noises

A mattress should not make any noises, although this sign is typically a problem with innerspring mattresses, squeaks and creaks in your mattress are an audible sign that your mattress is old. Noises are the result of springs breaking down in the mattress.

10. Age

Your relationship with your mattress isn’t supposed to be lifelong. Once your mattress is seven years or older it is time to start looking at if it needs to be replaced. If you practice good mattress care, you can often wait longer than seven years but it is always good to evaluate your mattress.

What Impacts the Lifespan of Your Mattress

Four major factors impact the lifespan of your mattress. Knowing how often your mattress was used, how it was used, who used it, and how clean it is all work together to impact how long you can keep your current mattress.

Frequency of Use

The average mattress lasts for at a maximum of 30,000 hours of sleep. This can translate into 10 years or more depending on how long you sleep. Often a guest bedroom mattress will last longer than the average seven to 10 years because it isn’t used quite as often as your nightly bed.

Body Weight

The lifespan of a mattress is calculated based on the average size adult. For those sleepers who are heavier or lighter than average, this can mean that your bed will last a different amount of time. Heavier people will often need to replace their mattresses sooner, while lighter people can go longer between replacements.

Activity

Parents don’t say to avoid jumping on the bed because they hate fun, they say it because jumping on the bed can shorten the lifespan of the mattress. To improve the lifespan of your mattress only engage in normal bedtime activities and if you want to jump on something buy a trampoline.

Cleanliness

Stains and dust will cause you to need a mattress sooner than expected. Using a mattress protector, avoiding eating and drinking in bed, and vacuuming your mattress regularly are easy ways to ensure the longevity of your mattress.

How to Make Your Mattress Last Longer

To keep your mattress giving you the best sleep of your life, it is important to take certain actions. The following 10 actions are key to improving the lifespan of your mattress.

1. Use a mattress protector.
2. Keep the mattress supported properly.
3. Don't bounce or jump on the bed.
4. Avoid eating and drinking in bed.
5. Rotate and flip your mattress with the change of seasons.
6. Vacuum your mattress regularly.
7. Clean stains immediately.
8. Keep pets out of bed.
9. Deodorize your mattress.
10. When moving, encase your mattress in plastic.

When you start to notice the signs that your mattress needs to be replaced, it may be time to start shopping for a new mattress. Don’t let mattress shopping be a chore, use SleePare’s mattress compare tool to make shopping for a new mattress a breeze.

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